Chelsea - Galatasaray Betting Preview: Hosts can ensure safe passage to the next round with a clean sheet

By Hugh Wilson

After an entertaining draw in the first leg in Turkey, the Blues return to Stamford Bridge with the advantage of an away goal as they look to progress in the Champions League

Chelsea and Galatasaray meet in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie with one man dominating the press coverage.

Former Blues striker Didier Drogba returns to Stamford Bridge two years after departing to China, with his final appearance for Chelsea being against Bayern Munich in the Champions League final, where he scored the winning penalty to give the Blues a historic European trophy win.

It will be an emotional return for the Ivory Coast international and for the Chelsea fans and players but they will know that it will be important to keep focused on the job in hand.

After a 1-1 in Turkey in the first leg, the Blues come into this game knowing that a win on the night would see them progress but that there is still plenty of work to do. Fernando Torres was Chelsea's man of the moment at the end of February and he could well lead the line once again.

The bookmakers appear to believe that Galatasaray have missed their opportunity in the tie. Paddy Power price Jose Mourinho's men at 4/9 (1.44) to win the match and just 1/5 (1.20) to qualify.

Galatasaray come into this match unbeaten in their last 12 matches. Despite this, Roberto Mancini's side trail Fenerbahce in the Super Lig table by five points. After falling behind in the first leg, the Turkish giants pilled the pressure on Chelsea and certainly deserved their equaliser. Paddy Power price them at 7/1 (8.00) to cause a shock with a win, with the Turks 3/1 (4.00) to qualify. Paddy Power price the draw at 10/3 (4.33).

For those who like fairytales and fancy Drogba to score anytime, you can back this at 3/1 (4.00) with Paddy Power.

Both sides recorded poor results at the weekend, with Galatasaray being held away to Karabukspor, and Chelsea losing 1-0 to Aston Villa, having two players and Mourinho sent off in the process.

Despite this defeat, the Blues will be confident coming into this match with a strong home record this season. Mourinho's men have won 10 of their last 11 games at Stamford Bridge, with West Ham the only side to hold them in that period.

Despite boasting the likes of Drogba up front, Galatasaray have not been prolific in front of goal in the Champions League, scoring only three times in their last four games. With Chelsea not conceding at home in their last five matches, including four wins, the price of them winning to nil at 6/5 (2.20) is certainly worth taking advantage of with Paddy Power.

Expect Mourinho to keep it tight, with a typical Chelsea battling performance likely to earn themselves a place in the quarter-finals.